The Earth's Ionosphere

Plasma Physics and Electrodynamics

Michael Kelly

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2012
• ISBN:
  9780323148054
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Geology & Earth Sciences

The Earth's Ionosphere: Plasma Physics and Electrodynamics emphasizes the study of plasma physics and electrodynamics of the ionosphere, including many aeronomical influences. The ionosphere is somewhat of a battleground between the earth's neutral atmosphere and the sun's fully ionized atmosphere, in which the earth is embedded. One of the challenges of ionosphere research is to know enough about these two vast fields of research to make sense out of ionospheric phenomena. This book provides insights into how these competing sources of mass, momentum, and energy compete for control of the ionosphere. Some of the topics discussed include the fundamentals of ionospheric plasma dynamics; equatorial plasma instabilities; high-latitude electrodynamics; and instabilities and structure in the high-latitude ionosphere. Throughout this text only the region above 90 km are discussed, ignoring the D region entirely. This publication is a good source of information for students and individuals conducting research on earth's ionosphere.

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• The Earth's Ionosphere: Plasma Physics and Electrodynamics
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Chapter 1. Introductory and Background Material
• Chapter 2. Fundamentals of Ionospheric Plasma Dynamics
• Chapter 3. Electrodynamics of the Equatorial Zone
• Chapter 4. Equatorial Plasma Instabilities
• Chapter 5. The Mid-Latitude Ionosphere
• Chapter 6. High-Latitude Electrodynamics
• Chapter 7. Effects of Plasma Flow at High Latitudes
• Chapter 8. Instabilities and Structure in the High-Latitude Ionosphere
• Appendix A: Ionospheric Measurement Techniques
• Appendix B: Reference Material and Equations
• Index
• International Geophysics Series